KEXP at CMJ 2009, Day 3: The Blakes

Day 3 of CMJ couldn’t have been a better time for a power pop pick-me-up by our very own Seattle band The Blakes. The young threesome has managed to obtain the secret recipe for perfectly well-rounded rock n’ roll with their jangly guitars, vocal harmonies and jittery rhythms. Although the dynamic trio can’t claim overnight indie success, Garnet Keim (vocals/guitar), Snow Keim (vocals/bass) and Bob Husak (drums) can say they’ve made a name for themselves the right way.

Maine-born brothers Garnet and Snow left the East Coast in the 90’s hoping to dodge their seemingly inescapable fates of working a lifetime in a paper mill. Busking across the country and working odd jobs to pay for hostels and motels, the two finally made their way to Seattle in 1999 where they met barista Husak in a local coffee shop. Husak must have made one mean cup of job, as the three soon took off for LA where they wrote and recorded their first full-length, self-titled album. After Garnet met late 1700s poet and artist William Blake in a dream, The Blakes were complete. Four self-releases later, the fellows finally had their big break when they hand-delivered KEXP their third full-length record, Little Whispers. Since then, The Blakes have been on a roll in the states, playing mega-festivals like Sasquatch, Bumbershoot and SXSW to name a few. They’ve also leapt across the water, touring in the UK with bands like the Gossip, The Kills, Pete And The Pirates and The Wombats. Check out their Web site for upcoming shows in the U.S.